The United States believes the comprehensive proposals presented to the
Northern Ireland parties by the British and Irish governments on August 1,
2001, constitute a fair and balanced approach to further implementation of
the Good Friday Agreement. In the present circumstances, the United States
also believes that the decision taken today by the British government to
suspend the political institutions in Northern Ireland offers a useful path
forward.

The United States echoes the hope that the review to be conducted by the
British and Irish governments will be completed quickly and that the
suspension will be lifted shortly. We ask all the parties to keep in mind
the important progress that has been made over the last three years, and
urge them to accept the Anglo-Irish proposals, to fully implement the Good
Friday Agreement, and to take the steps that will permit the full
resumption of all political institutions.